Doncaster campaign calling for those with mental health to exercise

Stephanie Bateman

Mind has launched a campaign to get people who have or are experiencing mental ill health into exercise.

New research shows that 80 per cent of people with mental health problems, who do not take part in sport, are put off because they feel self-conscious about their bodies.

Nearly 70 per cent of people told the charity that they feel their mental health makes taking part too difficult. The findings come as Mind launches “Get Set to Go”, a new programme to support 75,000 people with mental health problems to take up sport.

To support this programme and to increase awareness of these difficulties Mind is planning to complete multiple sporting fundraising events to total the number of miles from Doncaster to Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.

The total number of miles that need to be completed by Saturday August 5 is 5,848 miles, which works out at 293 miles each day.

We challenge will begin on Saturday, July 16.

There will be several events held across these 20 days, when staff, clients, volunteers, professional workers, the people of Doncaster and organisations will be encouraged to help “Get Doncaster Mind to Rio.”

A number of organisations in the area such as Footgolf Doncaster, Xercise4less, Doncaster Triathalon Club, Adwick Swimming Club and Lakeside Village Doncaster are supporting the campaign.

CEO Jackie Lewis said “There is now a huge amount of evidence showing the benefit of sport and exercise on both physical and mental health, but unfortunately too many people with mental health difficulties find taking part in sport too challenging. We want ‘Get Doncaster Mind to Rio’ to show everyone that sport and exercise are a good way to make new friends, feel healthier – and have fun. Funds raised through this event will be used to run friendly and inclusive sport and exercise activities throughout the coming year.”

The following events will be taking place as part of our “Get Doncaster Mind to Rio” campaign: